A man accused of murdering his flatmate later confessed to the killing to a fellow inmate at Leicester Prison, a jury was told.

The court heard that Christopher Crane allegedly described hitting Carl Pask and seeing his eyes dilating as he died.

Mr Pask’s body was found more than two weeks after he died, at his home in Kimberley Road, Highfields, Leicester, in March last year.

The deceased, a 47-year-old separated father-of-two, suffered multiple injuries including a fractured cheekbone and a fatal subdural haemorrhage (bleeding on the brain), Leicester Crown Court was told.

Crane (40), who had been staying at Mr Pask’s flat, and his associate, Christopher Pendery (47), of Woodland Drive, Braunstone, both deny murder, on February 23 last year.

An inmate who was at HMP Leicester, where Crane was being held on remand in May and June this year, was brought to the city’s crown court to give evidence.

The witness, who has since been moved to a different jail, told the jury that Crane told him there had been a fight in Mr Pask’s flat and that Pendery, who was also present, stabbed Mr Pask three times in the foot with a pair of scissors.

Read More

The witness added that he had seen Crane in a cell with documents and pictures relating to the case.

He went on to say that when clearing some rubbish with Crane, as part of their prison duties, some mice began scattering and Crane allegedly said: “I’d better not kill one of them, I’ve already killed some ******.”

Barrister accused witness of 'exaggerating'

Under cross-examination Crane’s barrister, Simon Russell-Flint QC accused him of “exaggerating” to improve his own position as the witness was awaiting sentencing for a dishonesty offence and could expect to be dealt with leniently for helping the police.

The witness replied: “The police said ‘we can’t promise you anything but we can write a letter (to the court) saying you have helped us.’ ”